By KENNEDY MUPESENI –
MANSA District Framers Union (MDFU) has embarked on farmer sensitisation activities in various crop management aspects to realise the country’s diversification agenda.
MDFU facilitator Mutinta Siasimuna said to broaden the crop horizon; the district farmers’ body has embarked on trainings for members to have knowledge in various crops beyond maize.
“We are teaching farmers on how to successfully grow other crops for  them to remain in business despite low maize prices. We want them to consider other crops because the current price structure is not favouring the producer but the buyer hence the need to diversify into other crops,” Ms Siasimuna said.
She said in an interview that the low prices that characterized this year’s maize marketing was likely to affect production in the 2017/2018 season.
Ms Siasimuna urged those charged with the responsibility of setting maize price to look at both sides of the  coin in determining prices by looking at the interest of the producer and the off-taker.
She however said farmers should not despair as the province offers diverse opportunities for crop production due to superb climatic conditions in the province capable of producing all crops.
Ms Siasimuna said soya beans, groundnuts and cassava were some of the crops farmers should consider growing on a larger scale considering the massive market potential in the country and the region.
She said Mansa  has 13,377 members who   if empowered could contribute effectively to the food basket of the country.